IRS Announces Tax Return Filing Season Opens January 11, 2016. When can we file taxes for 2016?

Are you ready to file your 2015 Tax Return? It’s not quite time for that yet, but the time is coming. If you are awaiting a 2016 tax refund, you cannot get it until you file your 2015 tax return, and the IRS say it will start accepting tax returns starting January 11, 2016. The IRS do not expect any hold ups this year with all of the tax extenders being passed last year. 2016 Tax Season will open as planned in 2016. When can we file taxes for 2016?

The IRS will begin accepting 2015 tax returns electronically on Jan. 11. Paper tax returns will begin processing at the same time. This means that unlike prior years, the IRS will be accepting 2015 tax returns much earlier. This should also speed up tax refunds in your bank account.

Last year 2014 Tax Returns began being accepted January 20th 2015. This is giving us a 9 day leap from prior year. This is information from last year, “We have reviewed the late tax law changes and determined there was nothing preventing us from continuing our updating and testing of our systems,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Our employees will continue an aggressive schedule of testing and preparation of our systems during the next month to complete the final stages needed for the 2015 tax season.”

The IRS reminds taxpayers that filing electronically is the most accurate way to file a tax return and the fastest way to get a refund. According to the IRS statement, there is no advantage to filing tax returns on paper in early January instead of waiting for e-file to begin. The IRS says more information about IRS Free File and other information about the 2016 filing season will be available in January.

Check out 2016 IRS Tax Schedule for Tax Year 2015, here.